Qil-cloth-printing machine



(No Model.) 4 She ts- Sheet' 1..

G. W. WILLIAMS,

01L CLOTH PRINTING MACHINE.

No. 349,417; Patented Sept. 21. 1886. v

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Patented Sept. 21, 1886.

(No Model.) '4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G. W. WILLIAMS.

OIL GLOT'H PRINTING MACHINE. No. 349,417. R Pa tel tegs ept. 21, 1886.

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(No Model.)

OIL-CLOTH PRINTING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 2 1, 1886.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. \VILLIAMS, OF TOPSHAM, MAINE.

. IL-CLOTH-PRINTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,417, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed May 8, 1866. Serial No. 201,561. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE \V. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topsham, in the county of Sagadahoc and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil-Oloth-Printing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and use the same.

the parts as constructed, and in such peculiar arrangements and combinations thereof as will hereinafter be distinctly described, and pointed out in the claims.

The general objects of the invention are the same as have been explained in an application for a similar invention which I have filed, bearing Serial No. 187,422; but in the present invention such objects are accomplished in a much better or superior manner, the work accomplished by the machine herein described and illustrated being of a much finer character than that accomplished by the invention referred to, and it may be stated that the present invention is designed to overcome many of thedefects and inconveniences experienced with most all machines for a like purpose heretofore invented.

In order that others skilled in the art may understand how to use and construct the same, I would refer to the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a longitudinal side elevation of an oil-cloth-printing machine in which my invention is embodied, and Fig. 1 represents a detail side view of a portion thereof, or, in other words, of one of the outer reciprocating slides, the same being intended to illustrate more clearly the devices which serve, when required, to assist the devicesv which maintain the dies upv out of contact with the inking-rollers. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the machine to more clearly indicate the interior disposition or arrangement of parts constituting the same. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal plan of the machine, by which the construction and arrangement of the belt-controlling devices and the die-carrying blocks will be more clearly understood. Fig. 4 represents a View in perspectir e (giving the relative arrangement of parts) of the mechanism for operating the catch-ups or automatic devices by which one or more of the blocks may be caused to remain elevated and make but one descent upon the fabric to several'descents of the remaining blocks thereon. perspective view of the mechanism by which the devices for preventing slipping of the cloth-belt are operated. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the belt-operating slides and devices.

As explanatory of the general operation of the machine, it may be stated that the fabric is fed through the machine from the rear on endless belts extending from end to end thereof, and the pulleys by which such belts are carried are operated intermittently to move the fabric forward the desired extent, while at each forward movement of the belts carrying the fabric the dies are brought down in a positive manner to imprint the design, automatically-operating rolls and troughs being caused to move back and forth or reciprocate beneath the dies for the purpose of sup- Fig. 5 represents a plying them with the mixture employed for the printing. Further, it is sometimes desired that certain of the dies be caused to make a greater number of descents upon the fabric than others, by which solidity of imprint or design be had, and for this purpose I resort to certain mechanism which will be described hereinafter. In this latter operation, in order that the dies'making the least number of descents upon the fabric shall not become clogged with the mixture contained in its trough, it is essential that such dies be elevated to aheight above the supply-rollers until such time as it may be desired to have the said dies descend, and for this purpose I employ certain devices which effectually perform this function, further results being accomplished, as will appear from the description following.

Reference being bad to the several parts by the letters marked thereon, A represents the platform upon which the supporting framework of the machine is situated or mounted, such frame-work being indicated in every part by the letter a, and journaled in proper bearings 011 opposite sides of the base are antifriction pulleys I), while in suitable upright portions of the framework are similar pulleys, 0. Located and moving between these two sets of pulleys on each side of the machine is a reciprocating slide, B, the same being held together by rods d, extending through or across the machine from side to side,which slides are each formed in their upper edge and at proper intervals with notches or depres sions 6, approximately of a V shape.

Centrally of the machine, at the forward end, are arranged two auxiliary reciprocating slides, C O, which are also held together by the same rods d that holder pass through the main slides B, while at the rear of the machine and in line with the slides (l G are additional auxiliary slides, D D, the two sets of auxiliary slides being connected by strips of metal (not shown) secured to the opposing rods (1, which pass through them.

Secured to opposite sides of the framework at the proper points are guides f, in which the vertical bars or strips E slide or reciprocate by means of grooved guide-pulleys f, as shown. These opposite vertically-reciprocating bars serve between them to carry the dieblocks F, and at their lower ends are provided with small rolls 9.

In the reciprocation of the slides B, whenever the notches 0 thereof come beneath the lower ends of the vertical slides E, the slides will be caused to descend by virtue of the notches, and thus will the dies be brought down firmly on the fabric.

To insure no slipping or blurring action of the blocks, I provide brackets h on the inner side of the main slides at each notch, the same having a V-shaped projection, h, between which and the edge of the notches the rolls 9 of the vertical slidesE are received, thus causing a sufficient binding to effect the object sought.

The slides B are each formed or provided at their rear portions with a sinuous or irregular slot, 2', and pivoted to a portion of the framing, as at l, is a crank, G, whose upper end extends slightly above the top of the machine, as shown, and by an arm or portion of which is carried a roll, 70, which moves in the slot of the main slides. The projecting upper ends of these cranks G are pivotally attached or connected to the rear ends of reciprocating rods H, which latter are connected at their forward ends to the troughs I, in which is contained the printing-mixture. It is evident that as the slides B are caused to move forward the cranks G will operate to move the troughs purpose being to hold the fabric in place upon the belts, and preliminary to movement of the devices to be described for actuating the beltpulleys the said strips will rise, as indicated, to permit passage of the belts, and immediately descend when the belts have moved forward with the fabric to the extent permitted, such rise and fall being about simultaneous with the elevation and descent of the dies, as stated, and the effectiveness of the result will be apparent. The operation thereof is obtained through the medium of a shaft,K, loosely supported in bearings 2 on the frame, the same having on each end an arm, Z, and is provided with a curved arm, at, carrying at its end a roll, m, which works in the 'slot m of one of the rear auxiliary slides, D, such slot m being of substantially the form indicated in Fig. 5.

Pivotally connected to each of the arms I is a lever, n, which projects up through the top of the machine, as shown, and is provided with a slot, n, which is entered by a pin, a, projecting from the sides of the strips J. (See Fig. 1.) ,It will be apparent that as the auxiliary slides D D are reciprocated the peculiar shape of the slot min this one D of such slideswill cause the end of arm m to vibrate, thereby rocking the shaft K and giving the levers n a vertiCally-reciprocating movement through the medium of connections Z, and thus raise and lower the strips J, as explained. It is sometimes desirable to disconnect the ends of strips J from the levers Z for the purpose of better arranging the fabric upon the belts, and to effect this it is simply necessary to force the levers back, thereby to free the slot ad of the pin a", whereupon the strips may be folded entirely back. When the connection is desired, however, it is properly maintained by the springs 0 0, whose tendency is to hold the levers in proper contact with the pins of the strips. The endless fabric-carrying belts p are carried by pulleys q, located in bearings on opposite sides of the machine at each end, as shown, the same being rigid upon the shafts r, and carried upon the shaft 0" at the forward end of the machine are two loose pinions, s 8, each carrying a pivoted pawl, s, so arranged with respect to each other as to alternately engage with the lips of a cam or ratchet, t, rigid upon the same shaft. with vertical alternately-reciprocating racks u, which move in suitable guides provided for them, and at the lower end of each rack is carried a roll, 1), (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,) which moves in the slots 10 and w, respectively, of the two forward auxiliary reciproeating slides O O. The slots of these auxiliary slides are of substantially the shape or form shown and are arranged reversel y to each other, so that when one of the pinions with its rack has been operated by its respective slide 0 to move the belts forward the other pinionand rack will be operated in such manner as to be in readiness to operate likewise. As the two The pinions mesh or engage .'r revolved, carrying with it the belt.

forward slides, C O, move-say, for instance, backward-that one of said slides having the slot 10 will cause its rack to be raised or elevated, thereby partially revolving its corresponding pinion forward,its pawl consequently taking into the teeth of ratchett and the shaft On the return movement of the slides 0 0-2. 6., forward-that one of such slides having'slot w will act in like manner as its fellow.- It should be remarked that in this operation of one set of these devices to move the belts forwardthat is, while one pawl is engaging-the ratchet the opposite one drops back or over the teeth thereof to take up the motion at the proper time, and vice versa. The pinions do not make a full revolution, and after they have been turned forward to the extent limited by the forward movement of the slides they are, of course, always restored on the return or backward movement thereof, thereby bringing their pawls to the proper positions of readiness. It should be understood, however, that the auxiliary slides 0 do not move separately, but rather move back and forth together, the alternate operation of the racks and pinions being due to the reversed formation of the slots w and w'for instance, on movement of the slides forward, one of the racks will partially rotate its pinion, thereby revolving the shaft 0' by reason of the engagement of one of the pawls with the ratchet thereon. Then, as the slides return, the other pinion is brought into such position as to operate in like manner. These belt devices are in most respects similar to-eXcept in the present instance I resort to two slides reverse] y slotted-such as are employed in my former application referred to, and in addition to such illustrations and description as are herein given it is thought will be thoroughly understood.

As a convenient means of causing any particular one of the blocks or dies to remain at an elevated position and only make one descent upon the fabric to two descents of its fellows, (it being understood that as many dies may be employed as is desired,) I pivot to the interior frame-work at each end of the machine on the side corresponding to the rear auxiliary slide, D, which has as yet received no specific mention, (or, in other words, the companion slide to the one which operates the arm M to actuate the shaft K,) an arm or lever, :10, the upper ends of which' are pivotally connected by a strip or rod, M, extending almost the entire length of the machine, and which is slotted, as at y, at points about adjacent to the line ofmovement of the vertically-reciprocating bars E.

On the end of the pin or pivot z, opposite to that on which the arm or at the rear end of the machine is held, a short rod, 00, is carried, having at its end a small roll, w", and extending through the sides of the machine adjacent to the line of movement of the strips or bars E, and coincident with the slots 3/ of the strip M, are rods or shafts N, said shafts carrying ciprocating the strips M.

at each end a catch-up or latch, a, and bearing a weighted lever, b, which is keyed or otherwise secured thereto, an arm of such levers extending through the slots 3 of the strip M. The auxiliary slide D, by which these devices are operated, is slotted out, as at d, and has pivoted therein, in the manner in dicated in Figs. 2 and 4:, a finger, e, the same being pivoted slightly to one side of its center, by which its forward end will rest upon the lower edge of the slot of the slide. The

'manner of operation of these devices is as follows: WVhen the dies are down, the roll of rod 93' will be at the rear end of the slot in D, as shown, and as the machine operates to raise the dies the rod oc""will be depressed by virtue of the finger riding over the same, and thus will arm x be moved or vibrated, thereby re- It is evident that in the movements thus far explained with reference to these devices no movement of the shafts N will be had, for the reason that the slots 3 of strip M are of sufficient length to permit of the operation of the strip back and forth. Now, should it be desired to cause one of the dies or blocks F to make but one descent to two of the others, a pin is slipped through the sides of the slot 1 adjacent to the block to be so operated, (holes 0 being provided for the purpose,) by which in the movement of the strip M a contact will be had. with the arm of lever b, and thus will the shaft N be rocked or partially rotated, caus ing the catch-ups or latches a to take into recesses which are formed in the side of the bars E, as shown in Fig.1, and it will be seen that the desired result will be attained. On the return movement of the strip M the weight of the lever b will restore the parts to their former positions. This operation may be continued as long as the pin is retained in the sides of slot y.

In the remarks applying to Figs. 4 and 5 it should be explained that such views are perspectives of the parts taken from the opposite side of the machine to that shown inl ig. 1.

On the inner sides of the slides B, at opposite sides of the notches therein, 1 have provided small pieces of metal f which project slightly above the upper edge of the slides and are loose upon small pivots, as shown, the same being for the purpose of slightly lifting the bars E on each movement of the slides, by which,in the operation of the catch-up devices, the dies will be elevated sufficiently to be carried out of contact with the rollers which supply them with the printing-mixture. The said an ee-wheel, and it will be apparent that in imparting motion to the machine the several parts will be operated in the manner described.

It should be remarked that in practice I prefer to use bands of tempered steel, on which the fabric is carried through the machine, for the reason that a more even or uniform wear is had than when asimple metallic band is used.

From the foregoing description it is thought that the operation of the machine will be thoroughly understood, and it is evident that in the practice of my invention a most perfect result is had, the number of parts being reduced to a minimum, and much of the mechanism heretofore employed in machines of a like character dispensed with.

I lay no claim herein, broadly, for the combination of the slides B, the pivoted cranks G, the rods H, and the troughs, and the vertically-sliding bars E, as I have claimed such feature in my former application referred to. Nor do I claim, broadly, herein the reciprocating slides, combined with other'features shown in this case, such as the vertically-moving bars carrying the blocks for effecting the movement of the latter, the belt for moving the fabric, and the brackets on the slides for binding the blocks on the fabric during the impression, as such combinations are claimed in said former application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the reciprocating slides B, having notches c, and provided with the pivoted pieces f, the vertically-sliding bars E, and the mechanism by which such bars are temporarily retained in an elevated position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of the main reciprocating slides, constructed as described, the vertically-sliding bars, the shafts N, having latches a, and weighted levers b, the slotted strip M, arm 00, rod and the auxiliary slide D, having the pivoted finger e, and means for operating the parts, substantially in the manner described.

it, having slot n, in which the pins of the hinged strips are received, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination, with the verticallysliding bars E and the means for operating the same, of the strip M, having slot 3 the shaft N, carrying the lever B, and latches a, the arm 00, and rod 00, and the auxiliary slide D, having the pivoted finger c, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the vertically sliding bars carrying the dies and moving in suitable guides and the reciprocating troughcarriers having supply-rolls, of the reciproeating slides B, providedwith the pivoted piecesf, by which the dies are lifted above the rolls, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the fabric-carry ing belts, the auxiliary slide D, and devices for operating the two, of the hinged strips J, the loosely-supported shaft K, having an arm,

l, at each end, the curved arm m, held by such GEORGE XV. WILLIAMS.

\Vitnesses:

E. EVERETT ELLrs, WV. 11. SCOTT. 

